Reviews - Sharks in the Time of Saviors

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2.01k reviews for:

Sharks in the Time of Saviors

Kawai Strong Washburn

3.89 AVERAGE

sophiejohn's review against another edition

2.5

slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

mcomp's review against another edition

3.0

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

annejsize's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

hahaldane's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

alicja_p's review against another edition

3.0

mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

jess_stetson's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This was a ponderous read for me and I'm not exactly sure why. It had all the makings for a brilliant story that should have been right up my street but it dragged for me. And it's frustrating because even now, having just put it down, I 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 to like it more than I did.

When 7 year old Nainoa falls into the ocean and is rescued by sharks and delivered carefully back to his family, his mother believes that it is a sign from the ancient gods that once ruled the land and believes that he is destined for greatness.

Time passes and soon Nainoa (Noa), his older brother Dean, and his sister Kaui are separated on the mainland. Each trying to make their own way in the world but the expectations of their parents, especially for Noa, begin to weigh heavily. The supernatural becomes a part of their lives whether they are believers or not.

This is essentially a family drama which incorporates magical realism and native Hawai'ian folklore. It is narrated by all the members of the Flores family with chapters switching between narrators.

It is beautifully written and relates the struggle of the family financially, emotionally, and perhaps most importantly as natives of Hawai'i who have lost so much to the colonisation and violation of their land and their culture. I appreciated so much of the writing and felt, at times, ensconced in the nature and myth of the islands.

Despite this, however, I never felt fully invested in any of the characters. There was a lot going on in each of their lives... Enough that it should have felt quite pacy and yet it wasn't. It dragged for me much more than I expected it to. As I mentioned, this is a really confusing book for me because of this. Maybe it's just the headspace I'm in at the moment. If anyone else has read this, or does in the future, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

exp_whale's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

A really enjoyable read - pace was gradual but kept pulling me along, was a quick read for me. Loved the slow unspooling of the secrets and mystery in each of the characters, as well as the family dynamics when they're at an ever changing distance from one another. I thought maybe the author was native Hawaiian but I don't think that's the case, which is something to note given the subject matter. Overall, would recommend.